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Walking Boots or Walking Shoes: Which Should you Buy?
So you’ve decided it’s time to get yourself some good quality walking footwear.
The first step is to head to your favourite outdoor retailer (*cough* Winfields *cough*) to find the best walking footwear to suit your style. But, then you’re met with something you hadn’t accounted for – are walking shoes or boots better for your outdoor needs?
As always, the team at Winfields have got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know when choosing between walking boots or walking shoes…
What’s the difference between walking shoes and walking boots?
For seasoned walkers, there’s a good chance you’ll know the difference between walking boots and walking shoes, but for others, it can be cause for some confusion. Of course, choosing the best walking footwear is incredibly important, so it’s essential you know which type you need.
Fortunately, the difference is pretty self-explanatory, and mostly comes down to the shape of each piece of footwear. Walking shoes are more like trainers or dress shoes in that they cover the foot up to just below the ankle bone, whereas walking boots finish above your ankle.
Choosing the best walking footwear
The stylistic difference has a big impact on the performance and functionality of your footwear – each type of walking footwear has its own pros and cons, meaning there are a range of factors to consider before you buy, including:
Weight
As you might expect, because of their smaller design, walking shoes are lighter than walking boots. In fact, walking shoes can sometimes be about half the weight of a pair of leather walking boots. Depending on the circumstances, having lighter footwear is seriously helpful.
For example, a lightweight walking shoe can be the preferred footwear when hiking or climbing a steep slope or mountain. This is due to there being less weight on your feet, making a hike or climb less tiring. Lighter walking shoes also give you a little extra manoeuvrability, so if you like to be a little more fleet of foot and don’t like the feeling of heavier boots, then shoes might be the best walking footwear for you.
Take Eastern Mountain Sports Mens Journey Waterproof Walking Shoes. Designed with suede and mesh uppers for exceptional breathability, these are a relatively lightweight walking shoe with maximum stability and mobility on the trail.
The weight of your walking footwear can also be a deciding factor when the seasons change. Lightweight footwear is better in warm temperatures to help keep your feet cool on the trail; while, heavier, more insulated walking boots are usually preferable in the cold of winter.
However, you should be aware that lighter walking shoes tend to have a thinner sole. For normal walking, this shouldn’t be an issue as the design will still ensure your feet are comfortable during use. However, if you regularly walk on uneven or sharper ground, you may want the protection of the thicker sole of a walking boot.
This brings us nicely onto our next point…
Support and protection
Having adequate support is incredibly important when it comes to choosing the best walking footwear for you.
This is definitely where walking boots come into their own, offering superb support on uneven terrain. This is because their design means walking boots have much higher ankle support, often over-the-ankle, and are usually thicker, which can help guard against ankle twists and sprains, as well as cuts, scrapes, and bangs. If you’re planning on walking on rolling or uneven ground, or have weaker ankles even on the flat, having this extra support is a blessing.
The best walking boots also generally have stiffer soles to offer a bit more protection and support for the soles of your feet, which is particularly useful when the going gets rough and rocky. This will prevent bruising and strain to your feet, especially once your footwear starts to wear with time – perfect for rough and ready hiking trips.
For example, have you considered our Kesmere Women’s Rambler Mid Waterproof Walking Boots? They may be classically styled, but these leather walking boots have innovative breathable and waterproof technology to keep your feet protected from the elements. Plus, the padded collar and tongue, and secure lacing system, ensure your feet feel comfortable and secure wherever your outdoor adventure may take you.
As we mentioned above, walking shoes may have a thinner sole to help reduce the weight of your footwear. This has the consequence of offering less protection from stony or rugged terrain. However, if you choose wisely, you can counterbalance this potential disadvantage with a shoe that is an excellent all-rounder that provides reasonable protection and support.
Top tip: when your trail gets tough, slowing down and taking greater care with foot placement when wearing walking shoes is a small trade-off if you love walking and would prefer a lighter, more mobile outdoor footwear option.
Waterproofing
With the UK experiencing the delight of such varied weather conditions, having outdoor footwear that can stand up to whatever’s thrown at it is an absolute must-have.
Most walking boots will have a waterproof, breathable liner that will keep your feet dry when it’s raining and even when crossing streams. As long as the water doesn’t go over the top of the boot, you should be able to keep your feet nice and dry wherever your adventure takes you. Plus, you could always add extra protection to your walking boots or shoes to help improve their level of waterproofing.
Top tip: explore our collection of Nikwax products, perfect for cleaning and proofing your outdoor gear!
If you have shoes or boots without a waterproof layer, you may want to stick to hikes in drier weather. There’s even an upside to having a non-waterproof pair of shoes – the lack of waterproof lining means they’ll tend to be more breathable, which is very useful to keep your feet cool during the summer months.
Top tip: walking shoes that do have a waterproof lining will consequently be less breathable – unless they feature a special membrane, such as GORE-TEX. Not sure what this is? Find out Everything You Need to Know About Gore-Tex® with Winfields.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that while walking shoes may make them less protective against wet weather, they do tend to dry much quicker than walking boots – particularly as they are made of synthetic materials. So, if you do get caught out, you should dry off relatively soon.
Complete wet weather protection
Of course, if you’re looking for complete protection from the elements, waterproof accessories are a hugely popular option for every lover of the great outdoors – and we have some iconic brands available here at Winfields.
Take SealSkinz for example. Renowned for its ground-breaking development of waterproof and windproof technology, their outdoor socks ensure that even if your shoes get wet, your feet will stay dry – all while maintaining high levels of breathability to stay cool when you get more active.
If you know you’re going to be out in the rain, or crossing streams on your hiking route, we also recommend picking up a pair of Gaiters. These are a total necessity for wet weather hiking, regardless of whether you’ve chosen walking boots or walking shoes. With strapping under your foot, gaiters cover your lower legs to protect from water ingress, keeping you warm and dry.
What type of walking are you doing?
We’ve explored the practical aspects of the best walking footwear itself, but these qualities won’t mean anything if they don’t match up with the type of walking you do. So, when you’re choosing between walking shoes or walking boots, consider:
- Do you regularly hike on rockier, uneven terrain? – If so, walking boots may be better to give you superior support and stability around the ankle, along with a thicker barrier between your feet and the ground.
- Do you head out in wet or muddy weather? – You may want to look for a walking boot or shoe with a deeper tread to give you better traction.
- Are you a more casual walker? – Walking shoes are more than adequate for casual walks and hikes, offering you a comfortable, flexible option to support your feet.
- Do you walk for hours at a time? – You’ll need to weigh up whether you want the additional support of a high walking boot, or the lightness of walking shoes.
Are walking shoes or boots better?
There’s not really a strict ‘one or the other’ answer here – neither walking shoes or walking boots are better per say, it’s more about which one is better for you and your style of walking.
As a general rule, if you’re doing more casual, lightweight walking, then a pair of walking shoes should do the trick. However, if you’re doing more intensive, long-distance walking over challenging terrain, then walking boots are certainly the choice we would recommend – especially for the colder months.
Of course, if you can, then our ultimate advice would be to buy both. That way, you can wear the appropriate footwear for whatever type of walking you’re doing. Being able to alternate between pairs will also make them last longer, and give you more freedom when it comes to styling them – after all, walking boots do look better with shorts!
Note: it’s worth being aware that one quality less directly related to style you’ll need to consider before you buy is cost. Even while accounting for brand, extra features, and material, walking boots tend to be more expensive, which may affect which is the best choice for you.
Our top walking shoes and boots
Hopefully you now know what you should be looking for when picking between walking boots and walking shoes, and can get ready to really put your new pair through their paces. But, if you’re still struggling to decide, why not explore some of our top picks of the best walking footwear right here at Winfields? We’ve picked out some of our favourite pairs of walking boots and shoes to make your life even easier…
Eastern Mountain Sports Mens Journey Waterproof Walking Boots
The Mens Journey Waterproof Walking Boots from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) are a superb example of where form and function can complement each other.
The rugged Vibram sole protects your feet from rough terrain and offers excellent traction and stability, while the suede and mesh upper combined with a waterproof and breathable membrane keeps your feet dry while looking great with whatever you wear! This pair of boots is designed with; a hook eyelet system to allow for secure lacing; padding around the collar; and a breathable (but waterproof) Weathertite membrane to ensure your feet stay at a comfortable temperature – no matter how hard the trail gets.
Karrimor Women’s Goshawk Waterproof Walking Shoes
Found here in a subtle but stylish taupe colour, these Women’s Goshawk Waterproof Walking Shoes by Karrimor allow you to step into any adventure with ease.
With a compressed EVA midsole for maximum comfort, and a waterproof, windproof, and breathable Weathertite membrane, these are a great all-round walking shoe made for comfort. Plus, the Dynagrip outsole is designed to offer superb traction and grip, no matter the terrain or weather conditions.
Hi-Tec Women’s Eurotrek Lite Waterproof Walking Boots
Whether you’re a casual summer hiker, or need a comfortable pair of walking boots for your dog walks, Hi-Tec’s Women’s Eurotrek Lite Waterproof Walking Boots could be the perfect ones for you.
Some of our favourite features include:
- A DRI-TEC waterproof (but breathable) membrane to keep your feet dry.
- A compression EVA midsole for excellent cushioning and shock-absorption as you walk.
- A multi-directional traction outsole to help prevent slips and falls.
- A durable, secure lacing system to keep your feet snug in your boots.
They’re even part of the Duke of Edinburgh approved kit list – so you know they’re a walking boot that means business!
Kesmere Men’s Trekker Low Waterproof Walking Shoes
Delivering the all-around excellence you’ve come to expect from the Kesmere collection in a compact frame, these Men’s Trekker Low Waterproof Walking Shoes are reliable, comfortable, and supportive.
For starters, these lightweight walking shoes are designed with additional protection at the toe and heel to improve the longevity of your footwear, while extra padding at the heel and tongue makes for a comfortable, all-day fit. You’ll also get excellent traction and stability on uneven terrain thanks to the EVA moulded midsole and durable rubber outsole – perfect for any outdoor adventure.
Karrimor Mens Mendip 3 Nubuck Waterproof Hiking Boots
If you’re looking for the best walking footwear, this pair of tried and tested Men’s Mendip 3 Nubuck Waterproof Hiking Boots by Karrimor should definitely be on your radar. Part of Karrimor’s classic collection, these hiking boots have exceptional features to ensure you have a positive outdoor experience, including:
- Nubuck leather for increased comfort and longevity.
- A Weathertite membrane for enhanced waterproofing, windproofing, and breathability.
- A Dynagrip rubber outsole to improve grip and stability across wet or dry surfaces.
Grisport Womens Lady Trident Waterproof Walking Shoes
Planning a hike on rocky ground, or heading through the woods for an outdoor adventure? You should consider picking up a new pair of Grisport Women’s Lady Trident Waterproof Walking Shoes for a much more pleasurable walking experience.
But why choose this pair? Well, one reason is the deep cleated rubber ‘raptor’ soles, which provide you with exceptional grip across all terrains – so you can climb and clamber to your heart’s content. These walking shoes also have a cushioned insole and padded collar for maximum comfort during use, and will stay dry with the Spotex waterproof, breathable lining.
For family hiking trips
We couldn’t go through the whole walking boot or walking shoe debate without exploring some family options. If you’re constantly running after your kids on the trail, you might want to consider getting everyone some walking shoes for maximum mobility to play chase. Or, if your kids are a bunch of more sedate explorers wanting to watch the wildlife they encounter, walking boots will offer better protection from mud and plants, and increased stability to find animals in their natural habitats.
Whatever you choose, prevent arguments by getting everyone some boots or shoes from the same brand. At Winfields, we have a great collection of Regatta walking boots and shoes, including:
- Regatta Men’s Samaris II Lite Low Waterproof Walking Shoes.
- Regatta Women’s Vendeavour Waterproof Hiking Boots.
- Regatta Kids’ Holcombe Mid Waterproof Walking Boots.
Walking footwear buying and owning tips
At Winfields, we’re with you every step of the way – so even once you’ve decided on the best walking footwear for you, we’ve got some handy tips and advice to make sure you get the most from each pair of shoes (or boots!)…
- Get used to your footwear over time: when it comes to wearing your choice of walking footwear, make sure to break them in gradually to make sure they’re comfortable before your trip. For walking shoes, you need to allow your ankles to become stronger before setting off on a long trek, while boots will require more time to be broken in properly.
- Consider your joints: if you have knee issues, walking shoes may be best for their greater comfort. On the other hand, if you have weaker ankles, you might want to try walking boots for their enhanced support.
- Remember your socks: even when buying the best walking footwear, remember to try them on with the Walking Socks you would wear on a hike. This will help with sizing and avoid future blisters. Trust us, your future self will thank you!
- Fitted and ready: poorly fitted and laced walking footwear are the main reasons for blisters. The best walking footwear should fit well enough that feet are snug and don’t shift around as you walk, but still comfortable. The most important thing is to choose footwear that works with your feet, allowing you to explore at your leisure.
Get set for adventure with Winfields Outdoors
Put your new walking footwear to the test with some handy inspiration from the team here at Winfields. Explore some of the best walking routes and outdoor activities with help from the Winfields Outdoors blog…
25 Hike Hacks Every Hiker Needs to Know | UK Walks To Boost Your Mood | 5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Walking Boots
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